Germany’s MPC Capital is the latest big owner to grab a slice of the burgeoning offshore wind shipping market.
The container ship specialist is branching out with an order for six of what it calls offshore service and survey vessels (OSSVs) in conjunction with domestic project manager OS Energy.
The initial investment is €130m ($142m) in the emission-free ships, which will be hydrogen-ready, with battery back-up.
Hamburg-based MPC Capital will provide management services for the fleet as well as being a co-owner.
It described the move as a “first step” in building a platform dedicated to maritime offshore assets.
“This market entry strategically aligns with MPC Capital’s recently refined focus on maritime and energy infrastructure, targeting sectors with strong organic growth potential driven by the global energy transition,” it said.
MPC Capital envisages European offshore wind capacity growing by more than 20% per year until 2033, creating demand for advanced vessels to support all phases of the offshore wind farm life cycle, from surveying and construction to maintenance and decommissioning.
Chief executive Constantin Baack said: “Offshore wind services represent a significant structural growth market, and we are excited to bring our maritime and energy expertise to this rapidly developing sector.
“Demand for service vessels is set to grow dynamically, while a limited supply of assets is expected to drive strong momentum and create value for both our company and our partners.”
Danish yard contracted
The new ships will be built at Esbjerg Shipyard in Denmark with an expected delivery schedule between 2026 and 2028.
The OSSVs will be deployed primarily at wind farms in the North Sea and Baltic Sea.
The “highly efficient” propulsion technology will enable CO2-neutral operation.
Debt financing for the first vessel under construction is being provided by Ostfriesische Volksbank.
Credit committee approval by a first-class export credit agency has been obtained for the transaction.
Baack described the new project as compelling: “The vessels have been developed in collaboration with established players in the offshore wind industry and are specifically tailored to meet the dynamic needs of this sector and support the energy transition in northern Europe.”
There is already a “strong pipeline” of follow-on projects, he added.
Big names move into offshore wind
Big names such as John Fredriksen, Idan Ofer and Wilh Wilhelmsen are already invested in the wind sector.
And in September, Schoeller Holdings and Deutsche Offshore Schifffahrt (DOS) placed an order for four special-purpose vessels for the offshore energy market.
Cyprus-based Schoeller contracted the commissioning service operation vessels from CSSC Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding for deliveries beginning in early 2027.
Schoeller has formed a joint venture with Hamburg-based DOS that will market the vessels as their commercial manager.
The units will be technically managed by Columbia Shipmanagement, which is part of the Schoeller group.
